When it came to the Menorah in the Holy Temple, the commandment was to light it anew every day; and to light it, as Rashi says, “until the flame could rise up on its own.”

Lighting up another means helping to ignite his latent abilities by appreciating his unique role and mission in this world.

Lower Unity: Where creation lacks independent existence but has independent value

The Kaddish response is meant to be said with "all the power of your mental focus." Here is a practical guide to saying each word with total mindfulness and focus.

Yaakov Schy spent years living and working in rural Asia, where he discovered that everyone had a tribal identity except for him. That led him to rediscover Judaism.

We often feel stressed and frustrated when things aren't happening the way we expect that they "should". Perhaps there's a better way…

What the menorah teaches us about igniting our own inner light and living an inspired life.

How to perform the havdalah ceremony at the conclusion of Shabbat and festivals.

Extreme humility is sometimes confused with low self-esteem. For Moses, these were as different as day and night.

With the help of the all new Intellicompute parshah-cam, Jono gives us an edgy, fast paced review... er... rejew of this week's Torah portion

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 124 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

How to light up the life of another.

Who can be a prophet? Explore the Rambam’s requirements for one to attain prophecy, and why it looks different from the description in the Talmud. This insight elucidates why prophecy is a fundamental of our faith.

Mystical insights on the following topics: the kindling of the Menorah, the story behind the Second Passover, and the episode of the people craving for meat.

"So it was, whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, 'Arise, O Lord, may Your enemies be scattered and may those who hate You flee from You." What is the difference between "Your enemies" and "those who hate You"? An analysis of Rashi's commentary on Numbers 10:35. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 23, p. 73.)

Learn the basics of the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest since Biblical times, how it is observed and what it means.

Explore the significance of the ritually fringed four-cornered garment.

How often do we will away time, counting down till vacation and fuming while caught in traffic? Here’s an alternate perspective.

What to do and which blessings to recite when called up for an aliyah at the Torah reading.

Watch these simple-to-follow instructions on how to do the mitzvah of wearing a Tallis.

Discover how Torah classes given more than a decade ago continue to enrich lives and touch souls.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

When Moses sent spies to scout the land of Israel, they saw giant grapes, got scared, and ran away. In this edition of the Week in Rejew, Jono interviews one of them (one of the giant grapes, that is).

If life is a mission, then everything depends on keeping one’s eyes on the objective.

Ever wonder why children are better at technology than adults? Psychologists think it’s because children approach problem solving differently…

Sometimes, when we encounter obstacles to achieving our goals, the problem is that we don’t believe in our own abilities. This is illustrated in the report of the spies.

A whimsical one-minute recap of the portion of Shelach, in which Moses sends 12 spies to Canaan and they return with disastrous reports.

What is the inner connection between the incident of the spies and the commandment concerning the libation of wine on the altar, issued by G-d directly thereafter? In answering this question, this class explores the mystical power of Tefillin and its effect on the world. (Based on the maamar L’havin Inyan Parshas Hanesachim 5747)

Moses had instructed the twelve spies to bring back specimens of the produce of the land of Israel to show to the Children of Israel. Strangely, Joshua and Calev – the only ones to remain faithful to Moses and the mission – did not comply and returned empty-handed. In explaining the justification for their omission, this class will offer a timely lesson on the nature of intent versus action. (Likutei Sichos vol. 38)

After the debacle of the Spies, G-d threatened to annihilate the Jews and begin His people anew with Moshe. In his defense of his fellow Jews, Moshe seems to invoke a strange, even disturbing argument. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23, Sicha 2)

The commandment to attach fringes to the corners of our garments. What it means, and how it is done.

The bond between Moses and his disciple Caleb was not always known to all—even to Caleb himself.

Before entering the land of Israel, Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land. Follow the spies on their journey through the Holy Land. Where did they go? Where did they stop? What did they see?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parshah of Shelach contains 119 verses and the mnemonic for it is the name Felet. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Moses selects scouts to inspect the Promised Land, and excite the people about their new home. Sadly most chose unwarranted negative reportage instead, dissuading the nation from journeying onward to Eretz Yisrael. To bolster their case, they harvest the land’s outlandishly huge and bizarre fruit using them to instill fear and despair into the hearts of the people. These insightful teachings shed sweet light on the sour grapes of this infamous story.

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

Sometimes the spiritual demands that Judaism makes on us seem a tall order. We may not attain all the spiritual ideals of Torah, but each of us is capable of making significant strides.

The dramatic story of the spies Moses sent to scout out the Land of Israel to conquer it is utterly perplexing. How can these handpicked leaders end up claiming that G-d’s mission can’t succeed. Where did the spies go so wrong? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 4 Shelach.

Contrasting the blunder of the ten spies that Moshe sent versus the success of the two spies Joshua dispatched conveys a fundamental lesson in our personal growth.

Why the mitzvah of separating challah is integral to bringing G‑d into our lives.

The spies looked at themselves as small, failing to internalize how G-d would be helping them in all their conquests.

An alternate reading into the Torah’s words related to the mitzvah of separating challah provides instruction on when to begin educating our youth in yiddishkeit.

The spies negatively reported that the land consumes its inhabitants. We must ensure to positively influence our surroundings and not the reverse.

When G-d wants to punish the people for believing the evil report of the spies, Moses pleads,"Now, please, let the strength of the Lord be increased." (Numbers 14:17) On a mystical level, Moses is asking that G-d express Himself through the Divine Name that is spelled aleph-daled-nun-yud and which represents the power of divinity that is hidden in nature.

Learn all about the tallit and tzitzit, its meaning and special significance.

The Talmud teaches us that each of the spies’ names offers a glimpse into their wayward conduct, yet only one of them has a fundamental lesson for each of us in our lives.

During the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, we mourn the loss of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem. The Torah tells us, however, that when we study the laws of the Temple’s construction, we are already rebuilding it.

The exile started with a single event, and the children have the power to end it.

Study a variety of vibrant and topical subjects with scholarly teachers. These Torah classes are from a day of learning in Montreal, Canada dedicated to help bring peace to Israel on 8/3/2008.

The Talmud’s narrative of the unfortunate episodes that led to the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and our subsequent exile.

In the first of the “Trilogy of Tribulations,” Jeremiah describes his inauguration as prophet. Although his first prophecy is one of impending doom, it contains within it a hidden message about the power to transform mourning into joy.

In the second haftorah of the “Trilogy of Tribulations” we learn how the prophet Jeremiah’s rebuke of his contemporaries can teach us today how to turn criticism into a powerful catalyst for change.

In the third haftorah of the “Trilogy of Tribulations,” we learn how Isaiah’s prophecy contains a hidden lesson about our power to visualize and manifest our greatest hopes and dreams.

A precise textual analysis of ch. 4, halacha 1 of Rambam's "Laws of the Chosen House" (Hilchos Beis HaBechira) considers the historical role of the Ark in the Temple as well as its location today. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 21)

The Sages teach that the Holy Temple was destroyed on account of unwarranted hatred, and will be rebuilt through unwarranted love. Rabbi Pinchas Weberman recalls a private audience in 1973 where the Rebbe explained just how literal this teaching is.

Why it is illogical to say that the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and the subsequent exile, came about as a punishment for the Jewish people.

This class begins with a history of the three-week period of mourning for the Destruction of the Holy Temple and continues with an analysis of a prophecy of Jeremiah that hints to the future transformation of "bitterness into sweetness."

A look at the three Haftorah portions read during the "Three Weeks" commemorating the destruction of the Holy Temple.

The Third Temple to be built by Moshiach corresponds to the third phase in a relationship in which opposites are harmonized and ultimate peace is achieved.

Before the siege of Jerusalem, G-d commanded the prophet Ezekiel to place an iron pot around a brick symbolizing the city's siege. (Ezekiel 4:3) Iron can be a metaphor for the grave character defect of rigidity or for the deep inner strength of the Jewish people that leads to Redemption.

Why building a Temple on the Temple Mount is by necessity the first stage in making the world a G-dly place. (A Tisha B'Av study, based on the Rebbe's discourse Gadol Yihyeh K'vod Habayis Hazeh, 5722.)

The mystical secrets hinted at by the numbers in the dates associated with the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem—the 17th day of Tammuz, the 9th day of Av, and the three weeks or twenty-one days between them.

Says the prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations, “For these things I weep.” Where were the rest of the Jewish people when Jeremiah was mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple?

"Pinchas...has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me... therefore I hereby give him My covenant of peace." (Numbers 25:11-12) In this verse, the letter 'vav' of the word 'shalom' (peace) is written like two separate letters, a 'yud' above and a small 'vav' below. What does this teach us about how to make true peace?

G-d tells Moses, “A thousand for each tribe, a thousand from each tribe, from all the tribes of Israel you shall send into the army [to battle the Midianites].” (Numbers 31:4) The Hebrew word for thousand is “elef,” which is spelled the same as “alef.” What is the connection between the battle against Midian, the letter alef, and the Three Weeks of mourning over the destruction of the Temple?

This class continues to describe the reign of the Herodian kings and the events leading to the fall of the Holy Temple to the Roman Emperor, Titus.

The Torah prohibits constructing the Temple with wood; only stone and brick are admissible. Yet the high priest's chamber, located in the Temple proper, was made of wood. This class will present an analysis of the subject from both halachic and spiritual viewpoints. (Likutei Sichos vol 28, Parshas Massei)

The Midrash relates that at the beginning of the Babylonian exile, seventy years before the Jews’ return to Jerusalem, G-d instructed Ezekiel to teach them the dimensions of the Holy Temple, because when they engage in its study, G-d considers it as though they built it.

In the book of Eicha – authored by Jeremiah the prophet – the letter Lamed in the verse “Let it not befall you...” is written small. This symbolizes Jeremiah's role, and by extension every Jew, to be a light unto the nations.

In analyzing Maimonides' description of the future transformation of the current fast days into days of celebration in the Messianic era, this class sheds new light on the nature of things to come. (Likutei Sichos volume 15, p. 412)

The Book of Lamentations is a sad song which contains the most heartrending prophecies of Jeremiah about the destruction of the Holy Temple and the ensuing exile. Join us for an informative and uplifting text-based study of this Biblical book, which is traditionally read on Tisha B’av.

This text-based class on Megillat Eicha provides a general overview and analyzes the first two verses.

This text-based class on Megillat Eicha focuses on verses 3-4 of the first chapter.

Rabbi Shabse Alpern was a kid from Brooklyn, whom the Rebbe sent to Brazil. Hear how the Rebbe's blessings, directives, and lessons have been the guiding light of his life

The spies were deeply spiritual people with high ideals, yet they were misguided and missed the point. This leads to fascinating dive into the Rambam’s definition of attaining the ultimate level of love of Hashem. A lesson from the spies: The goal of Juda

When Moshe sent the spies, were they kosher? If not, why send them. If yes, why did Moshe pray that Yehoshua be save from their plans?

Rambam states that one of the core values of Judaism is the belief that Hashem empowers humans with prophetic ability. Then he details the qualities needed to access prophecy, which tells us what we need to believe about Nevuah.

Is the celebration of Yom Tov all about meat? Is the mitzvah of Simcha on Yom Tov spiritual or physical enjoyment? Is there a mitzvah of Simcha on Shabbos?

Who can be a prophet? Explore the Rambam’s requirements for one to attain prophecy, and why it looks different from the description in the Talmud. This insight elucidates why prophecy is a fundamental of our faith.

The Second Passover offering is brought by those who didn’t bring the Korban Pesach a month earlier in its proper time. Is Pesach Sheni relevant if one didn't miss Pesach? And what is its value today without the Korban?

Phil Rosenberg describes the role of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. He also describes several outlines of what the community should be focusing on to ensure a brighter future.

Shavuos is when we connect with the essence of Hashem, which allows us to fundamentally transform the weekdays that follow. This we see in the days of ‘Tashlumin’, the make-up period for the Shavuos pilgrim offerings.

The way the Leviim needed to transport the holy Aron containing the Luchos, shows the degree to which we need to respect the Torah, and conveys how Torah builds a forward-facing, personal relationship with Hashem.

How we created a Yom Tov out of the day after Shavuos. Analyzing Talmudic sources for the Alter Rebbe’s description of Isru Chag.

What is the essential change from before Sinai to after Sinai with the giving of the Torah?

Marcus Roberts discusses the little known and highly controversial details of the German occupation and Holocaust on the Channel Islands, with an emphasis on Alderney. He describes the attempts to ignore or minimize the atrocities committed there, and his

Watch this cute short on the very basics of the holiday of Shavuot.

Did you know that just before the Torah was given, they experienced their first taste of the revolution the Torah would bring? This we see in Moshe building an altar to bring a sacrifice—the day prior to Shavuuos.

What's the maximum amount of charity you can give? Not all charity is created equal.

Shemitah is a real test of faith, to leave the field fallow the entire year. Yet the words in the verse: "What will we eat during Shemiitah?" is not a question driven by lack of faith.

Choose your neighbors wisely because they’re influence is greater than you imagine.

An incredible insight into the power of the Omer, gleaned from the three layers of the census of the Jewish nation. All from analyzing a Rashi on not counting the Levites in the census.

The positive impact of “great is the righteous and great is his neighbor” is not proportionate to the negative effect of “woe is the wicked and woe is his neighbor”.

Miri and Meni embark on an after-bedtime journey through the universe to discover that there is only G-d.

Watch this cute short on the basics of Lag B’Omer.

Many children give up because they don’t believe they will succeed. In this class, we explore how to build deep, lasting motivation by helping your child see effort as meaningful and effective. You’ll learn how to respond to setbacks in ways that build pe

Explaining three paradigms behind a law concerning using the new crop for a Mincha offering, teaches that you can't move ahead spiritually before you discipline your inner animal, and yet as we mature in our spiritual development the prerequisites shift.

People mean well. That doesn't mean their advice is right.

A deeper look at why the Rambam in sefer Zemanim deviates from the chronological order of the festival, sheds light on how Yom Tov is relevant and powerful every day, not only on the date it appears on the calendar.

Rabbi Glauberman discusses various complications in determining the weekly Parsha in the Persian period.

Rabbi Brackman presents a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe explaining Rashi’s commentary on a verse in Proverbs 15:15.